Dissertation/Thesis Abstract

The impact of stakeholder collaboration on effectiveness of
health program implementation in Ghana

by Agbanu, Samuel Kwami, Ph.D., Walden University, 2010, 289; 3403055

Abstract (Summary)

Healthcare providers increasingly recognize the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in cost-effective healthcare delivery. While collaborative relationships offer great advantages, little research has addressed their relevance in an international development aid context, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The region is a major recipient of international development support, yet health indicators on HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and child and maternal mortality indicate the health of the region is among the weakest worldwide. This sequential mixed method, descriptive study of a USAID-funded community health program in Ghana examined the nature of collaboration among six stakeholders and impact of this collaboration on effectiveness of program implementation. Stakeholder and resource dependence theories provided conceptual frameworks for analysis. Data were collected through surveys and interviews of officers of participating organizations (POs) and community health officers (CHOs). Surveys were analyzed using means, standard deviations, and t tests, while coding and themes determination were adopted for the interview data analysis. Results from both sources were integrated. Findings indicate both POs and CHOs perceived human relationship factors as more critical than physical resources. Collaboration, shared decision making, and frequency of communication in the relationship were perceived to substantially improve CHO skills and rural healthcare quality. Recommendations include active development of strong trust and dialogue in future relationships. These results could have important implications for positive social change by identifying the bases for collaborative success in providing impoverished rural communities with cost-effective and quality healthcare to address critical community health needs.

Terms of Use

The supplemental file or files you are about to download were provided to ProQuest by the author as part of a dissertation or thesis.
The supplemental files are provided "AS IS" without warranty.
ProQuest is not responsible for the content, format or impact on the supplemental file(s) on our system.
in some cases, the file type may be unknown or may be a .exe file.
We recommend caution as you open such files.

Copyright of the original materials contained in the supplemental file is retained by the author and your access to the supplemental files is subject to the ProQuest Terms and Conditions of use.

Depending on the size of the file(s) you are downloading, the system may take some time to download them. Please be patient.